Wheel aligning apparatus



Oct. 18, 1938. M. MILLER 2,133,827

WHEEL ALIGNING APPARATUS Filed April 1.5, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORN EV 5 Oct. 18, 1938. M, MlLLER A 2,133,827

WHEEL ALI GNING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1937 4 Sl'leetS--Shee'I 2 mW/IMM my chew@ t'. I l l A ATTORNEYS Oct. 18, 1938. M. M|LLER WHEEL ALIGNI'NG APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 15, 1937 Michael/W ATTORNEYS Gct. 1,8, 1938. M. MlLLER 2,133,827

WHEEL ALIGNING APPARATUS Filed April l5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 18, 1938 .UNITED sTATEs WHEEL AIJGNTNG APPARATUS Michael Miller, Trenton, N. J.' Application April 15, 1937, Serial No. 131,105

.Claims.

-. 5 tor vehicle may be easily driven and which will be self-adjusting to the Wheels of the vehicle and which will `permit a person or the operator of the device to easily and quickly determine toe, camber, and caster of the wheels and to indicate l0 clearly and accurately when the Wheels have been trued or brought into proper alignment. v

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view illustrating an apparatus for the alignment of motor Vvehicle wheels constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation illustrating the device.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is 'a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1. -l

Figure '1 is a sectional view taken on the line taken on the line 5 1-1 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 8--8 of Figure. Y

Figure 9 is a fragmentary transverse 'sectional view showing an adjustable indicator.v y

Fig'ure 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating said indicator. A

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical view illustrating another indicator.

Figure 12 is a plan vieW illustrating a scale f 'plate used in connection with the indicator shown in Figures 9 and 10. a

Figure 13 is a plan view illustrating a scale plate.

Figure 14 is a plan view illustrating another scale plate.

Figure 15 is a scale plate. y

Figure 16 is a fragmentary top plan View illustrating the ramp used in connection with this invention. Figure 17 is afragmentary topplan view illustrating a modified form of ramp.

Figure 18 is a detail sectional View .the line I8-I8 of Figure 3.

plan` view illustrating another taken on v,6,0 Y Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral I indicates a fixed base en whichis pivotally mounted for a limited oscillatory movement a supporting member 2,-the pivot beingshOWn at 3. The supporting member 2 has journaled thereon rollers II which ride on the base l andthe os- .-,5 cillatory movement of the supporting member is limitedby stops 5. kJournaled on the supporting member 2 are rollers 6 which slidably `support plates 1 and fixed to said plates andrto the pivot 3 are coil springs 8. The plates 1. slide-endwise ofthe supporting member. androtatably supported on the plates 1- are ,turntablesv 79, antifriction bearingsl I 0 being providedbetween the turntables and the slidable plates. Removable pins Ilr are provided for releasibly securing the 1 5 turntables against rotation by engaging ,in openings formed in the slidingplates. Any rotary lmovement of the turntables is resistedby coil springs I2. Scale plates I3V are secured o nthe supporting member and extend longitudinally thereof and the sliding plates carry pointers AI4 which cooperate with thescale plates. tok indicate the amount of sliding movement of the-sliding plates during the use. of the device. The scale plates I5are secured on .the sliding plates and cooperating "therewith are indicators I6 xed on Vthe turntables. The indicatorslBand scale `plates`r-I5: are for thepurposei of measuring lthe :movement o-f the turntables. ,Opposed indicators I1 are fixed on the turntables and operate v30 in conjunction with-a scale I8 of a scale plate I9 suitably mounted on the base. The sliding plates vhave secured thereto opposed rackbars 20. geared together, as shown at 2|, so that'movement of one ofthe sliding plates will beimparted tothe other sliding plate.' .i

Y Hinged on the turntables are opposed tread '.plates 22, Athe hinges therefor being indicated at 23. The tread plates normally assume positions,

as shown in Figure 6, so that a vehicle may be readily driven upwardly thereon. When the Wheels of the vehicle'come to rest on the tread plates they assume a dotted line position, as shown in Figure 6. a i

Tire engaging plates 24` are pivoted on the tread plates 22 adjacenttheir opposiing ends to be engaged bythe tires of the Wheels, and are provided with anti-frictionrollers 2i.` Hinged on the tread plates 2 are substantially lvertically arranged inner side plates- 25 and have ls'lidably connected thereto T-shaped members 26 they being pivotally and slidably mounted on bracketsl 21 carried by the turn tables. The' side plates 25 Aare to engage Vwith the inner side. Walls of the tires of the'wheels of the vehicle and are iniiuencecl in engagement with said tires by coil l springs 28. The springs 28 are mounted on the T-shaped members between the head ends thereof and the brackets 21.

. Brackets 29 `arefixed on the turn-tables and Leo have mounted thereon outer side plates 30. Said outer side plates have a limited movement relative to said brackets by ball and socket joints, indicated at 3|. Also the ball and socket joints ar'e adjustably connected onto the brackets 23 permitting the outer side plates to be moved towards and from said brackets. Yieldably connected to the side plates are face or tire engaging plates 32 and may be adjusted relative to the side plates 30 by set bolts 33, one of which has a scale 34 to aid in adjusting the face plates .at desired angles to the side plates. It is to be understood that the face plates of the side plates engage with the outer Walls of the tires :adjacent the lower portions of the tires, the spring iniiuenced inner plates acting to adjust the device so that the face plates contact the sidewalls of -the tire with desirable pressure.

Gauge mountings '35 are rotatably -a-nd detach- Yably mounted on the side plates '30 and integral therewith are sleeves 36 to adjustably support posts 31 -of fscribers 38. The scribers are adjustably mounted `on the posts. Spring pressed balls 39 are provided for -securing -th'e posts --n adjusted positions. Arms -40 are lformed .on the sleeves 36 and have -detachably 'secured thereto Lgauge supporting brackets 4I including pivotally connected sections 42 and 43. The sections '42 may be adjusted relative Sto the sections 43 Land held in `adjusted positions by set Abolts 44. Journaled =on the sections 42 are indicator casings 45 each havlng pivotally mounted therein :a weighted pointer 46 operable in relation Ito a .scale plate 41. The casings have the scale plates 41 adjustably mounted thereon `and maybe held .against :movement by pins `48 ttingvinopenings of the casings. Finger pieces 49 are .secured `:to the 'scale plates whereby said scale plates may be rotated when nrst moved 'so as to disengage .the Apins trom the openings in the casinga Theiscale .plates fare of substantially triangular lshape and vhave .graduation's along the edges thereof. The .pointers "46 operate in conjunction with .the 4g-raduation's 'on the vscale plates 41. 'The .set :bolts 44 '.permit the casings 45 of the vindicators :to be adjusted Ato bring .said `casings into Avertical position. The Iscale plates 41 and the pointers "46 are employed for obtaining the caster and camber of Wheels o'f .a motor vehicle, While the toe of the wheels lobtained through the turning fof Athe turntables with their indicators I1 operating over the scale I8.

Secured 'on the tread plates :22 adjacent `their outer ends are upstanding socketed members 49' to removably receive -chocks -50 yacting to -prevent the vehicle from rolling off of the tread plates yduring the use of the device. Certain'of `thesocketed members form posts for the -innerside plates 25 to hinge on. When the device is *non-occupied by the vehicle, the tread plates 2,2 assume the position shown -in .full lines in Figure 6 andare supported a slight distance from the -ifloor on which `the device rests by springs 5I and AWhen'not en- `gag'edby Wheels of a vehicle they `may move :dow-n into engagement with theiloorfso that the vehicle vmay lroll upwardly 'on to the device. fAs the wheels yof the vehicle `come to rest on the ytread engaging pla-tes 24, the tread plates :22 assume the dotted fline position vshown iin Figure 6 with their vadjacent; ends resting upon the :turntables --As the wheels roll :onto the itre'ad .plates and kthey Vfassume the dotted line vposition Vfin Figure 6, lthe inner and outer -side plates ycontact fthe walls of the tires, as shown in Figure "2, and zthe sliding Vplates adjust 'themselves to the tread or trackage of the wheels, the correct reading of the tread or trackage is given by the pointer I 4 on the scale I3. Prior to driving the vehicle onto the device, the front Wheels are elevated from the ground 'and markings are applied to the tires of said wheels, the .markings extending circumferentially of the tires and at the centers of the treads of the tires. With the tires thus marked and the vehicle upon the tread plates and the bringing of the "scribers to align with said markings first at the 'back of the Wheels and then at the front of the wheels Will adjust the outer side plates to the toe of the Wheels. The turntables rotating with lthe swinging of the outer side plates Will bring about a toe reading for the wheels by referring to the pointers I6 vand scale plates fI-5, thus permitting the operator -to accurately check the toe of the Wheels.

To obtain -a reading of the camber .fof the wheels on the device, the plates132 are adjus'tedfto assume an inclination corresponding to the wheel camber through the adjustment ofthe fse't bolts 33 and 34. 'The butt 'ends or .non-pointed ends of the scribers are then brought in'to engagement with the'upper portions of the tires against the side Walls of the latter. The adjustment of the plates 32 and the scribers as described 'causes the indicator casings to tilt at inclina-tions fcorresponding to the camber `of `the wheels `and as the pointers Athereof are weighted and thescale plates of the casings moving relative to fsaid Weighted pointers gives 'a correct reading fof 'the wheel camber. The indicator casings when vmaking the camber readings `are .positioned las `-shown at the left hand side of Figure .2, that is, withthe scale plates facing forwardly and the person -or operator making the reading facing the front tof the Vehicle. After obtaining a reading 'of the camber of the wheels and it is desired to obtain a caster reading of the Wheels, the indicator casings 45 are adjusted to assume the position, as"

shown at the right hand side of Figure 2, that is, the scale plates Abeing read by the operator standing facing the side of the vehicle'. The indicator Vcasings are then adjusted to bring about a zero reading upon their scales by opera-ting the adjusting bolts 44. In other words, the indicator casings are brought to assume vertical positions Ito obtain the fzero reading.V The indicator casings are then turned to face rearwardly of vthe vehicle. The wheels of the vehicle are then -steered to the right and then to the left and with the operator standing first lat one side and then at the other side of the vehicle to note the caster of the Wheels by reading the positions assumed by the Weighted pointers on -the scale plates -4-1. Whenever it is desired tolock the turntables against rotation in either direction, the pins II are brought into the openings of the sliding tables or plates 1. The sliding plates 1 and the turntables mounted as described will .permit .the tread plates to readily adjust themselves properly to the trackage of the wheels as said wheels roll onto the tread `plates and as the Wheels come to rest on the tire engagingplates 24 they will permit the inner side plates to shift ther'sliding plates 1 so that the outer side plates engage the Vouter side Walls of the tires. The inner `side plates being yspring pressed ywill readily bring about this adjustment. The inner side plates may be termed presser .plates to bring about 'the last referred 'to adjustment.

Figures f52 are .pivotally mounted on the indicator casings 45 and maybe positioned to par- 'al'lel `sai'cl casings -or to extend at rig-ht angles thereto. To obtain correct readings onrthis 'device it is important that thetires of the Wheels contain the same amount of air pressure and in order that this reading be obtained with the use of my invention, either one Aof the indicator casings is removed from the device and rested on some part of the device and with one of the fmgers occupying a right angle position to the casing is brought of the Wheel and the other nger brought into engagement with the wall of the tire at the lower porion of the tire. A certain reading will then be given on the scale in accordance with the inclination of the indicator casing. `Noting this reading and carrying out the same operation on the other Wheels the .operator can readily determine if the tires carry the `same air pressure. If not, the tire having the most air therein can be deflated until its air pressure' agrees with the air pressure of the other tires.

Ramps 53 may be pivoted on certain of the tread plates and slidably connected, as shown at 54, and further connected by rack bars 55 geared together, as shown at 56. `The ramps when engaged by the Vwheels will readily adjust themselves to the trackage of the wheels.V Instead of having the rampsfadjustably connected together as described, they may be pivoted onto -a connecting bar 51 and each have a pin and slot connection 58 to itsrespective tread plate, this form of the invention being shown vin Fig- Aure l1.

The indicator casings 45 are rotatably and detachably connected to the sections 42 of the adjustable arms 4I, as shown at 59. The adjusting arms 4l are detachably connected to the arms 40, as shown at 60.

The tire engaging plates 32 being yieldably and adjustably mounted on the side plates 30 will permit said side plates to be accurately adjusted to the camber of the Wheels regardless of defects occurring on the walls of the tires.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine of the character set forth comprising `a base, an elongated supporting member pivoted on said base intermediate the ends thereof and having a limited pivotal movement relative to said base and provided with scales extending longitudinally thereof, plates slidably mounted on the supporting member and movable endwise of the latter and having scales and pointers with said pointers movable overl the rst-named scales, turntables mounted on saidv plates and including pointers movable over ,the second named scales, ramp plate's'carried by the turntables to be engaged by wheels of a vehicle, presser plates carried by engageable with side Walls of tires of the Wheels, adjustable side plates carried by the ramp plates to engage Walls of the tires of the Wheels opposite to the presser plates and adapted to be adjusted to incline in a plane corresponding to the camber of the Wheels, and indicators" connected with and actuated by said'adjustable sideV plates.

2. A machine of the character set forth comprising a base, an elongated supporting member pivoted on said base intermediate the ends thereof and having a limited pivotal movement relative to said base and provided with scales extending longitudinally thereof, plates slidably mounted on the supporting member and movable endwise of the latter and having scales and pointers with said pointers movable over the iirst named scales, turntables mounted on said plates and including pointers movable over the second tables tobe t presser plates into engagement with 'the hub Y prising a i prising a the ramp plates and over the named scales, ramp plates carried bythe turn engagedy by wheels' of a vehicle,

carried by the ramp plates and engageable with side Walls of tires of the wheels,

adjustable side plates carried bythe ramp plates 5 to engage Walls of the tires of the Wheels opposite to the presser plates and adapted to be ad- .,justed to incline in a plane corresponding to the camber of the wheels, indicators connected With and actuated by said adjustable side plates, andl0 Vadjustable scribers carried by the adjustable side l'plates for cooper-ation .with markings made on the tires ofthe Wheels. Y Y

, 3. A machine of the character set forth combase, an elongated supporting memberg 15 .pivoted on said base for a limit-ed pivotal movement relative 4thereto and having scales, plates slidably mounted on the supporting member and4 movable endwise oi the latter andhaving lscales Vand pointers and said pointers movable' over the320 .first-named scales, turntablesv mountedbn said plates andincludingpointers movable over the secondnamed scales, rampl plates vhinged ori-the turntablesto be engaged by Wheels ofY avehicle,

v.tension presser plates carried by the vramp plates; A25 4to engage .with side walls vadjustable gauge plates carried by the vramp of tires of the Wheels,

plates to engage Walls ofthe tires .of the wheels opposite to said presserplates and adapted to be adjusted to incline in a plane correspondingffo to the camber of the Wheels and pendulumtype indicators connected with thel adjustable gauge plates and actuated by the latter.

4 A machine of the character set forth combase, an elongated supporting member pivoted on said base for a limited pivotal move ment relative thereto and having scales, plates slidably mounted on the supporting member land movable endwise of the latter and having scales and pointers and said pointers movable over thejo Ainst-named scales, turntables mounted on said plates and including pointers movable over the second named scales, ramp plates hinged on the turntables to be engaged by Wheels of a vehicle, tension presser plates carried by the ramp platea-45 `to engage with side Walls of tires ofthe Wheels,

adjustable gauge plates carried by the ramp plates to engage walls ofthe tires of the Wheels oppositeV to the presser plates and adapted to be adjusted tor incline in a plane corresponding to,.50 the camber of the Wheels, pendulum typeindi-J -cators connected .with the adjustable gauge plates and actuated by the latter, and means for adjusting the indicators to bring them into perpendicular position. vi A I K55 5;.A machine of the character set forth comprising a base, an elongated supporting member pivoted on said base for a limitedpivotal movement relative thereto and having scales, plates slidably mounted on the supporting mem-60 -be-r and movable endwise of the latter and having scales and pointers and said pointers movable over the first named scales, turntables mounted on said plates and including pointers movable second-named scales, ramp plates65 hinged on the turntables to be engagedby wheels of'a vehicle, tension presserk plates carried by the ramp plates to engage With side walls of tiresof the wheels, adjustable gauge plates'carried by the ramp plates to engage Walls of thes7,0

` tires ofthe Wheels opposite to the presser plates and adapted to be adjusted to incline ina plane corresponding to the camber of the Wheels, pendulum type indicators connected with the adjustable gauge plates and actuated by the latter,y 75

movable @over the second-.named scales, ramp plates hinged `on the turntables Yto be engaged by Wheels of 'a vehicle, tension presser plates carried by the :ramp plates to engage with side Walls =orf tires of thu wheels, adjustable ,gauge plates tcarried by the :ramp plates to vengage walls of the tires :of the wheels opposite to the presser plates and .adapted to'be Aadjusted'rto incline in a plane Acorresponding to .the lcamber of the Wheels, pendulum :type indicators .connecte-cl with the adjustable gauge plates :and actuated by the latter, means foradjusting the indicators to bring them into perpendicular position, rack :bars Vsecured to the Iirst named plates and .geared together, and springs connecting :said rst :named plates.

57. Amachine of the character `set forth comprising :a base, an elongated lsupporting member pivoted said -base ,for ya limited pivotal vmovement relative thereto Vand :having scales, plates slidably mounted on the supporting ,member :and movableen'dwise fof 'the latter 4and having scales 'and pointers :and said pointers .movable over the first named scales, turntables .mounted on said 'plates and including pointers .movable over the .second named scales, ramp plates hinged on the turntables to :be engaged by Wheels of a vehicle, .tension presser .plates carried by the ramp plates `to engage `.With side Walls of tires fof. the wheels, adjustable .gauge plates carried by the ramp plates to fen'gage `Walls .of the .tires of the wheels opposite to the presser ,plates and adapted to be `adjusted to incline ,in a plane :corresponding to -che camber of the wheels, pendulum type indicators :connected with the adjustable gauge :plates and 'actuated by the latter, .means Y'for ladjusting the indicators to bring them Ainto 4perpendicular position, `rack bars secured to the first named plates 'and geared together, :springs connected on 4said first-.named plates, .and springs connected on ysaid turntables.

.-8. AA machine -of ithe character :set .forth comprising a base, an elongated supporting member pivoted on said base for a limited pivotal .movement relative thereto and having scales, plates slidably mounted on the supporting member `and movable endwise of the latter and having scales and pointers and :said pointers movable .over .the first-named scales, lturntables mounted -on said plates land yincluding vpointers movable over the second named scales, ramp plates hinged on the turntables to be engaged :by Wheels of a vehicle, tension presser plates carried by the ram-p plates to engage with .side walls .of tires of the wheels, adjustable gauge plates carried by the ramp plates :to engage walls of the tires of the Wheels opposite to vthe presser plates and adapted to .be adjusted to incline in a plane corresponding to the camber of the wheels, pendulum type indicators connected with the adjustable vgauge plates fand actuated .by the latter, means for adjusting the indicators to bring them into perpendicular position, .ra-ck :bars secured to the rst named plates :and geared together, springs connected on said rstv rnected fon vsaid ."turnftables, anti-friction means `between the .first named plates and the support- .ing member, and Vanti-.friction means between the turntables and the rst-named plates.

9. A machine of the prising abase, an elongated supporting member pivoted -on said :base for a limited pivotal move- ,ment relativeV Ithereto and having scales, plates :slida'blymounted on the supporting member and vmovable endwise :of the latter and having scalesg15 'and pointers :and sai-d .pointers movable over the rst named scales, lturntables mounted on sa1d plates and .including pointers movable over the :second named scalearamp plates hinged on the turntables to beengaged by wheels of a vehicle, A20

tension presser plates carried by the ramp plates lto engage with :side walls -of tires of the wheels, adjustable ,gauge plates carried by the ramp plates to'fenga'ge walls 'of the tires of the wheels opposite Jto the presser plates and adapted to bex25 adjusted :to incline in :a1-plane corresponding to the `camberuof .the `Wheels, pendulum type indcators .connected with .the adjustable gauge -platarrd actuatedby :the latter, means for adjusting the indicators to bring them into per-.n30

pendicularposition,.1rack .bars secured to the first named plates and geared together, springs connected =on said rst named plates, springs connected onrsaid turntables, anti-friction means between the -rst-named plates and the support-,335

ing member, anti-friction :means between the turntables and the rstnamed plates, and auxiliary 'ramps connected on said ramp plates.

l0. lA machine fof the Ycharacter set forth comprising la base, .an -elongated supporting member@ pivoted on said base for a limited pivotal movement :relativethereto and having scales, plates slidably mounted on the supporting member and movable .endwise xof the latter .and-havingscales .and pointers andsaid pointers movable over the .-iirst named scales, turntables mounted on said plates and 4including pointers movable over the second .named scales, ramp plates hinged on the turntables tobeeng-aged by wheels of a vehicle,

tension ,presser plates carried by the ramp plates150 to engage with side walls of tires .of the wheels,l .adjustable gauge plates carried fby the ramp plates to engage walls of the .tires of the Wheels opposite to -the presserplates Tand adapted to be adjusted to .incline ina plane `corresponding to the camber -of .the Wheels, pendulum type indicators connected with rthe. .adjustable gauge ,plates and adjusted b v the latter, means for adjusting the indicators'to bring them into perpendicular position, v.rack first named plates .and .geared together, springs connected on said rst named plates, springs connectedfon saidturntables, anti-friction means `between lthe rst-named plates and the support- .ing member., anti-friction means between -theg5 turntablesgand the ,first named plates, auxiliary ramps connected -on said ramp plates,l and tread plates .pivotally and 'ant-frictionally connected with the ramp `Aplates .to be engaged by treads -of the .tires -of :the wheels.

named plates., springs con- :5

character set forth com- 10 bars secured to the 60 0 MICHAEL MILLER. T 

